Ecology Lecture 1 PDF
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Uploaded by AdventuresomeMridangam
University of Maryland, College Park
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Summary
This lecture covers fundamental concepts in ecology, including biotic and abiotic factors, levels of ecological study, ecosystems, climate, and biomes. It also explores the influencing factors on the distribution of organisms.
Full Transcript
January 30, 2024 Ecology: (Ecos) = house (Logia) = study of Interactions of organisms with each other and their environment 1. Biotic 2. Abiotic Importance: 1. Context of evolution 2. Management of resources 3. Evaluation of human impacts Levels of study: Organismal = Individual interactions with th...
January 30, 2024 Ecology: (Ecos) = house (Logia) = study of Interactions of organisms with each other and their environment 1. Biotic 2. Abiotic Importance: 1. Context of evolution 2. Management of resources 3. Evaluation of human impacts Levels of study: Organismal = Individual interactions with their environment (base level) 1. Physiology 2. How the organism reacts to weather/temperatures Population = Group of individuals of the same species living in a speci c area Community = interactions among different species in a speci c area Ecosystem = Interactions between communities and their environments 1. Start of abiotic factors Landscape = Mosaic of connected ecosystems 1. Looks at the energy and resource exchanges of different ecosystems Global = Biosphere, examines in uence of energy and materials on organisms across the biosphere Weather vs. Climate Weather = daily changes, short term Climate = averages, long term conditions Time scale is the issue Climate varies: 1. Latitude 2. Season changing rapidly fl 3. Long term prevailing weather conditions = climate Major abiotic components of climate: 1. Temperature 2. Precipitation 3. Sunlight 4. Wind Abiotic Factors: Predictable attributes of communities based on large scale abiotic factors Sunlight and latitude Small amount sunlight from low angle - - Large amount direct sunlight Adiabatic cooling: 1. warm moist air rises, expands, cools, dropping rain = Tropics 2. Then cooled air is pushed poleward 3. Dense, dry air descends, warms and absorbs moisture Hadley Cells - L -1 v = - C Three circulation cells in both the northern and southern hemisphere Increased solar radiation = increase size of Hadley cells = great deserts would shift towards the poles Global Circulation Coriolis effect = explains patterns of prevailing surface winds Seasons: We have seasons because of the Earths tilt Rain shadows: Mountains and oceans cause regional effects on climate Abiotic factors strongly in uence the nature of ecosystems Biomes Gu & Warmest with most percipitation Driest with coldest temperature Dispersal Behavior Biotic factors (other species) Abiotic factors fl Factors limiting distribution of organisms:
